Stl to Solid

[aminhas]

Can anyone help me convert an .STL file into solid geometry in Creo?

[tbraxton]

Refer to this article for some options.

Article - CS69498 - How to create solid model from an STL or WRL file in Creo Parametric

[StephenW]

Please see attached Creo 8 file

[KenFarley]

Any solid model created from an STL file is going to be a faceted approximation of the "real" part. If you're just using it to check clearances, or to maybe make a 3D plastic prototype, that's probably okay. If you want an actual model that has "nice" surfaces you have other options like

(a) Read in the STL file and use its geometry as a guide to build a proper solid model. Not fun, but it'll probably suffice, depending on how precise the surfaces of the model need to be.

(b) Contact Dentaurum or whoever and see if they will provide you a model. Not likely, this is something they sell and they probably already have trouble with counterfeiters (everyone does).

(c) Buy one and measure it to build your own model - I've done this when I needed to modify a "stock" part for my needs.

[ProFeature]

Hi @aminhas 

I exported to Shrinkwrap using the settings shown in the screenshot.
It isn't high quality, but it's the best Shrinkwrap can provide.

[aminhas]

Can we enhance the quality even further?

[ProFeature]

Unfortunately not. I used the highest possible quality level.

[StephenW]

@aminhas 

STL files are generally used for 3d printing. They are created by converting all surface to triangles, this includes curved surfaces. So when the STL file is created, you can specify options such as chord length and angle control to "smooth" the surfaces but essentially they are just smaller triangles.

There may be aftermarket software that will convert files back to actual curved surfaces, but that would be research you would have to do.

STL files are "poor" quality for sharing data between cad systems, but it may be all you have access to.

[aminhas]

Thank you for the clarification. I understand that STL files approximate curved surfaces using triangles, which makes them less ideal for CAD data exchange.

If you are aware of any reliable aftermarket software that can help reconstruct actual curved surfaces from STL files, I would appreciate your recommendations. Otherwise, I will look into possible solutions myself.